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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ephesians 6:10-18

Here is a general exhortation to constancy in our Christian course, and to encourage in our Christian warfare. Isa. not our life a warfare? It is so; for we struggle with the common calamities of human life. Isa. not our religion much more a warfare? It is so; for we struggle with the opposition of the powers of darkness, and with many enemies who would keep us from God and heaven. We have enemies to fight against, a captain to fight for, a banner to fight under, and certain rules of war by... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 6:10-20

6:10-20 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his strength. Put on the armour of God. so that you may be able to stand against the devices of the devil. It is not with blood and flesh you have to wrestle, but against powers and against authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against malicious spiritual forces in the heavenly places. Because of this you must take the armour of God that you may be able to stand against them in the evil day, and that you may be able... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 6:16

Above all, taking the shield of faith ,.... Which may be understood either of the grace of faith, which is like a golden shield, precious, solid, and substantial; and like a shield of mighty men, by which mighty things are done, and by which the believer not only repels, but conquers the enemy. The Jews say F14 Pirke Abot, c. 4. sect. 11. , that repentance and good works are as a shield against divine vengeance: or rather of the object of faith, that which faith makes use of as a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 6:17

And take the helmet of salvation ,.... Meaning either Christ himself, the Saviour; and so the Arabic version renders it, "the helmet of the Saviour": or the salvation itself, which he is the author of, and a well grounded hope of it; see 1 Thessalonians 5:8 ; the allusion is to Isaiah 59:17 ; and such an hope of salvation by Christ is a defence of the head against false doctrines; for the helmet is a piece of armour for the head; and it is an erecter of the head in times of difficulty,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 6:16

Above all, ( Επι πασιν , over all the rest of the armor), taking the shield of faith - In the word θυρεος , thureos , the apostle alludes to the great oblong shield, or scutum , which covers the whole body. See its description before. And as faith is the grace by which all others are preserved and rendered active, so it is properly represented here under the notion of a shield, by which the whole body is covered and protected. Faith, in this place, must mean that evidence of things... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 6:17

Take the helmet of salvation - Or, as it is expressed, 1 Thessalonians 5:8 , And for a helmet, the hope of salvation. It has already been observed, in the description of the Grecian armor, that on the crest and other parts of the helmet were a great variety of emblematical figures, and that it is very likely the apostle refers to helmets which had on them an emblematical representation of hope; viz. that the person should be safe who wore it, that he should be prosperous in all his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 6:16

Verse 16 16.Taking the shield of faith. Though faith and the word of God are one, yet Paul assigns to them two distinct offices. I call them one, because the word is the object of faith, and cannot be applied to our use but by faith; as faith again is nothing, and can do nothing, without the word. But Paul, neglecting so subtle a distinction, allowed himself to expatiate at large on the military armor. In the first Epistle to the Thessalonians he gives both to faith and to love the name of a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 6:17

Verse 17 17.And take the helmet of salvation. In a passage already quoted, (1 Thessalonians 5:8,) “the hope of salvation” is said to be a helmet, which I consider to be in the same sense as this passage. The head is protected by the best helmet, when, elevated by hope, we look up towards heaven to that salvation which is promised. It is only therefore by becoming the object of hope that salvation is a helmet. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 6:10-20

The Christian warfare. Even in common parlance we speak of "the battle of life." Even for ordinary purposes we have to fight against indolence, evil lusts, dishonest tendencies, and many other things in ourselves; and against opposition, ill treatment, temptation on the part of others, and the depressing effects of trial and disappointment. All hard work -is a fight; we have to fight against the sense of monotony, against the feeling of weariness, against the longing for ease; and when we... read more

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